Happy Birthday IVAN!

Sending out a great big Happy Birthday to my first Grandson Ivan who turned eight today!

 

 

 

Here's Ivan showing me how to do knuckle push-ups like he does.

Here he is when he was younger learning to skate. "I'm a Big Kid Now!"

Happy ((78th)) Birthday!!!

It's MOTIVATION Monday! In our quest to live a HEALTHY and Fit life we all need a little MOTIVATION from time to time. Next to looking at my own "Before" photos I get my MOTIVATION from my FITNESS Mom Ms. Ernestine Shepherd-World's Oldest Female Body Builder who turned ((78th)) today!!!

 

 

Here are a few of her monthly walkers that come out all year long and walk with her no matter what the weather is like and get there "WALK On!" I just want to thank her for first inviting my FF50 Meetup.com group to come walk with her! Happy Birthday Mama Ernie, I wish you many, many HEALTHY and Happy Years!!!

To ALL the Mothers and Mother Figures...

 

Wishing You A Very...

 

 

 

Good Bye April...

Race Season Begins!

How FABULOUS! They came this weekend and I LOVE them! I took them out today for a quick 3 miles to begin to break them in. My first race of the year is the Capitol Hill Classic 10k and Fun Run that my grandson will be doing. Here he is last year in his first race ever.

 

 

 

We've come a long way from when we started training together about 4 years ago, lol...

 



I Must Be Committed!!!

Sending Lots of Love to the 50+ People

 

 

 

 

5 Reasons Why Good Old Friends Can Make Great New Lovers!

In Loving Memory of Betty J. Smith

*~*~* In Loving Memory of Betty J. Smith *~*~*

 

This was one of my mother's favorite pics that she called our first three generations. My first daughter, me and my mother. Today Sunday 3/30/14, marks 10 years ago my mother died from heart disease after being a stroke survivor for 3 years. Less than a month later I learned that I was at risk of the same thing happening to me if I didn't lose weight, change my eating habits and start exercising. After making changes in my life I dropped OVER ((60)) lbs and I'm much HEALTHIER now. This afternoon I walked on the National Mall in downtown Washington, DC in the rain, sleet, hail and snow to kick off Spring with a WALK for my HEALTH! I wore my Go Red For Women - American Heart Association's Red T-Shirt. Call me (202) 423-9992 if you like to join me for my next walk. 

We miss you Mom, and we're sending you lots of LOVE!!!

WELLNESS Wednesday

Changing what we eat WILL change our bodies and HEALTH! The more we move away from processed foods and eat more WHOLE foods our over all HEALTH will get better. Our need for daily medicine can be reduced, our risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke can be reduced and we can develop more energy to do all the things we want to do. Don't knock it before you try it!

Wouldn't you like to see changes like this? Are you ready to at least try? It's all up to you!

It's Time to FOCUS!

That's right, it's time to FOCUS on getting HEALTHY and Fit! The way I will be doing that is with Beachbody's FOCUS T25 at home fitness program. It's a lot of FUN and when you get together with friends it's even better. Call me (202) 423-9992 if you want to join us!

Are You Ready to Get HEALTHY & Look FABULOUSLY Fit Naked!?!

At what point is enough, enough? When will our HEALTH become more important than what we want for the moment? If we plan to be around for our children and our grand children, we have to get serious about our HEALTH and what we put in our bodies!

Remembering Our History Leads to Changing Our HEALTH!

 

For me February has always been a time to celebrate and reflect on the history and accomplishments of African/Black people of the diaspora. After losing my mother to heart disease, I later learn that the month of February was also Heart HEALTH Awareness month. As I did a little research I found that Mary McLeod Bethune had been a victim of heart disease just like my mother. I can only imagine that she stayed very busy teaching and fighting for the rights of others that she didn't take time to care for herself and eventually died of heart disease. Below I have shared some very important information that's life savings...

 

 

Heart Disease and Black Women: The Silent Killer that Speaks Volumes

One woman dies every minute from heart disease, a little know fact that is overshadowed by other high profile diseases for women. Heart disease, once considered a “man’s disease”, is a cause of great concern for women.  It is called a “silent killer” because it often has no symptoms or presents pain that is barely noticeable. The most commonly recognized symptom is persistent chest pain, pressure or other discomfort, called angina. This pain results when the heart is getting too little blood or oxygen. It can be felt under the breastbone and tends to accompany exercise or extreme emotional stress. Women, however, are more likely than men to experience a different type of chest pain which is sharp and temporary.

What is Heart Disease?

Heart disease is a term used to describe a number of problems affecting the heart and the blood vessels of the heart. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease and is the leading cause of heart attacks. CAD occurs when the coronary arteries that surround and supply blood to the heart muscle lose their elasticity and become hardened and narrowed because of plaque build-up inside the artery. This process is called atherosclerosis. As the coronary arteries narrow, blood flow to the heart can slow down or stop, causing chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, heart attack, and other symptoms.

Why is this Important to Black Women?

Black women suffer rates of heart disease that are twice as high as those among white women. Some of the factors that contribute to this disparity include higher rates of overweight and obesity, higher rates of elevated cholesterol levels and high blood pressure and limited awareness of our elevated risks. In addition to having high heart disease rates, Black women die from heart disease more often than all other Americans.

What Black Women Need to Know

Black women are more likely to be overweight or obese, more likely to be physically inactive, and more likely to have high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels – all risk factors for heart disease.  Black women also need to know that women often experience heart attack symptoms that are different from those that occur in men. Although chest pain is the symptom most commonly associated with a heart attack, women may have chest pain that is not the most prominent or troubling symptom or may not experience chest pain at all.

Typical heart attack symptoms include:

• Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.
• Pain that spreads to the shoulders, neck or arms.
• Chest discomfort with lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea or shortness of breath.

 

Women are more likely to experience other, less common warning signs of heart attack including:

 

• Atypical chest pain (pain that is sharp and temporary),
• Stomach, back, or arm pain
• Nausea or dizziness (without chest pain).
• Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing (without chest pain).
• Unexplained anxiety, weakness or fatigue.
• Palpitations, cold sweat or paleness.

 

Black women need to be aggressive in seeking attention for heart disease symptoms and concerns by taking the initiative in establishing communications with their doctor: This can improve the chances of receiving appropriate treatment.

What the Imperative is doing

The Imperative is committed to ensuring that Black women receive the necessary information and skills in order to reduce their personal risk for heart disease.  Through our health education programs and advocacy efforts, we are raising awareness and fighting for critical changes to the healthcare system that will improve health outcomes for all Black women.

The Black Women’s Health Imperative is committed to ending heart disease health disparities among Black women by:

• Educating Black women about the different symptoms of heart disease that women experience so that they are more likely to receive timely diagnosis and treatment
• Developing a Patient Advocacy Toolkit which is designed to assist Black women in navigating health care settings and seeks to empower people and their family members and friends to take control of their health care
• Adopting a social determinants of health approach to eliminating health disparities which helps us to address many of the factors that contribute to heart disease and other health conditions that Black women face
• Developing evidence-based curricula and community based programs designed to encourage healthy lifestyle choices in the Black community
• Connecting Black women to the health care delivery system in order to receive important routine medical care
• Advocating for health care access for all Americans
• Promoting preventative and diagnostic screening as an essential benefit in health care reform   

• Advocating for Black women to receive access to high-technology care to ensure better health outcomes for Black women with heart disease and other conditions

 

What Black Women Can Do

The development of cardiovascular disease begins at an early age, and so can the foundation for a healthy heart. Fortunately many of the heart disease risk factors can be controlled by making small improvements that can lead to large benefits. For example, losing only 10 to 20 pounds can help lower your heart disease risk.  Other steps to reducing heart disease risk include:

• Learn the risk factors and the symptoms of heart disease and if you have them, see your doctor.

• Don't smoke.
• Eat well-balanced meals that are low in fat and cholesterol and include several daily servings of fruits and vegetables.
• Engage in at least 30 minutes of a moderate-intensity activity such as brisk walking or another activity that you enjoy such as dancing at least five days a week. If you need to, divide the period into shorter timeframes of at least 10 minutes each.
• Know your numbers – have your blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked regularly to ensure that they are in a healthy range.
• Keep your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol under control.

Look What's NEW!?!

We're Getting HEALTHY to Look FABULOUSLY Fit Naked in 2014! Here's my new business card! CALL us when your ready to take your HEALTH to the next level.

 

 

 

To accomplish our goal, we're adding the new dance craze - Timbuk to our FITNESS plan. We'll make it happen while having FUN!!!

Have You Seen Touareg?

On Monday February 10, 2014, a guy who said he was with a special police force came into the Volkswagen Dealership where I work and asked one of my co-workers if he could test drive this 2014 Volkswagen Touareg. While my co-worker was distracted, the guy got in and drove off, through the shrubs, over the curb and he ran a red light to get away.

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Today Wednesday February 12, 2014, another co-worker and I went around the corner to get lunch and when we were leaving we noticed this Touareg. After a closer look we realized that this was actually the stolen Touareg! I called the police and we followed him as long as we could due to traffic. Since we happened to see this Touareg, I thought maybe someone else may have seen it and didn't know it was stolen. If so, call the police and then let us know too!

Don't Lose Someone to Heart Diseave...

With just a little knowledge you can save lives, especially your own. A month after my mother died from heart disease I learned that I was at risk of heart disease and stroke if I didn't lose weight, change my eating habits and start to exercise. That's all I need to do to reduce my risk. Learn the warning signs and how to reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke.

I am proud to fight the No. 1 killer of women - Heart Disease in memory of my mother, Betty J. Smith who was a stroke survivor that died from heart disease. Please visit my page for my mother and show your support for heart disease, thanks!http://www.goredforwomen.org/wearredday/donate/advocatedonationform.html?kwoAdvocateId=9SIZE94

Bring The Sexy Back...

As my 55th birthday nears, I want to 'Bring The Sexy Back' into my life. Once upon I actually felt SEXY but that's been many years ago. "It" got lost among being a college student, wife, mother, having a career and caring for my mother before she passed a way. So when I was approaching my 50th birthday I said I wanted to 'Get My SEXY Back' but it didn't happen.

I was beginning to wonder if I had a clue what 'SEXY' was until I saw this photo, then I realized that I couldn't have been SEXY because I never look like Ms. Ernestine Shepherd - World's Oldest Female Body Builder. Now after meeting and working out with Mama Ernestine I know this is how I want to look when I get my SEXY back!!!

DON'T FORGET TO WEAR YOUR RED...

 

 

 

 

 

National Wear Red Day is TOMORROW Feb. 7th. Wear your RED!  I am proud to fight the No. 1 killer of women - Heart Disease in memory of my mother, Betty J. Smith who was a stroke survivor that died from heart disease Please visit my page for my mother and show your support for heart disease, thanks!http://www.goredforwomen.org/wearredday/donate/advocatedonationform.html?kwoAdvocateId=9SIZE94

A Reason To Go Red For Women!

 

Our thoughts go out to the family of Rekisha Harris, a 2012 National Go Red Woman, who passed away recently after a long battle with heart disease. We are so sorry to lose such a positive and active member of the Go Red family. Learn more about her courageous fight and efforts to bring awareness for heart disease in women here: http://youtu.be/xOf90e6_Umo

It's Heart HEALTH Awareness Month... Go Red For Women!

National Wear Red Day is this Friday Feb. 7th. I am proud to fight the No. 1 killer of women - Heart Disease in memory of my mother, Betty J. Smith who was a stroke survivor that died from heart disease. Please visit the page that I set up for my mother and show your support for heart disease, thanks!http://www.goredforwomen.org/wearredday/donate/advocatedonationform.html?kwoAdvocateId=9SIZE94

Go Olga Kotelko GO!!!

Soon to turn 95, Olga Kotelko is FABULOUSLY Fit! Ms. Olga Kotelko who will be turning ((95)) soon, (born 2 March 1919) holds records in her age category for the Masters competition, age 90-95, and is considered "one of the world's greatest athletes" as a result. She holds every track and field world record for her age group. Now that's MOTIVATION!!!

 

 

In her youth, her only athletic activity was playing baseball. After her retirement from teaching in 1984, she took up slow-pitch softball. She made a double play at age 70, while playing second base. She gave up her place on the softball team to a 55 year old and took up track and field because it would take advantage of the running and throwing skills she had developed playing softball. At age 77, she started training for track and field events with a Hungarian coach. At the 13th WAVA (World Association of Veteran Athletes) World Championships in Gateshead, England in 1999 in the "W80" category, she broke two world records and six gold medals. At the World Masters Games in Sydney, Australia in 2009, she broke a world record for her age group (90-95 years) in the hammer throw (5.64 metre) and the 100 metre race (23.95 seconds). It was her fourth time competing in the World competition. She carried the Olympic torch in Vancouver in 2010 before the XXI Winter Olympic Games. In 2010, at age 91, her performance far surpassed that of many competitors two age brackets younger. By 2010, she held 23 age-graded world records in the Masters track and field competition^.  Events she competes in include "long jump, triple jump, high jump, shot put, discus, javelin, weight throw and the 100-metres, 200-metres and 400-metres and 4 x 100-metre relay sprints," per the "The Gazette" of Montreal. Sometimes she has competition, but some of the victories are due to no other women her age running the event. At age 90 she was described as the world's oldest known long jump competitor.

Reaching My Goal in 2014

Here I'm on my way to the Pohanka Automotive Group banquet, which happened January 2014. I'm working on getting more comfortable in dressy attire. This year my goal is to 'Look Good NAKED!'

 



 

 

 

In the photo below, which was taken in November 2013 at the National Black Marathoner's Association's first banquet, I was told that I wasn't showing enough skin. So this year I'm getting ready to start training in our spring Focus T25 - "Get HEALTHY & Look Good NAKED" Challenge Group! And I'll be raising money for the American Heart Association & the American Stroke Association in memory of my mother that died of heart disease 10 yrs ago this March.



 

 

ONLY 2 Weeks Left!

There are ONLY two weeks left to purchase these two AMAZING Fitness Challenge Packs that include a complete fitness program and your first 30 day supply of the HEALTHIEST Meal of the Day... "SHAKEOLOGY" at the introductory price of $180.00, which is a savings of OVER $70.00 if sold separately. Don't miss out, CALL (202) 423-9992 to join us as we start the "Get HEALTHY, Fit & Look Good NAKED" Challenge on February 1, 2014! We'll be smokin' HOT this summer!!!

Total Body Makeover - At Any Age!

It's time for the "Total Body Makeover - At Any Age!" with my FITNESS Mom, 77 year young, Ms. Ernestine Shepherd - World's Oldest Female Body Builder! at the 21 Annual NBC-4 Health and Fitness Expo on Sunday January 12, 2014, at the Walter Washington Convention Center in Washington DC.

Get READY!!!

Are You Ready?

Let's Do This!!!